A Guide to Al Jazirat Al Hamra – An Abandoned Village in Ras Al Khaimah

The crumbling, coral-built homes of Al Jazirat Al Hamra stand in stark contrast to the towering silver buildings most often associated with the United Arab Emirates. And yet, this abandoned village on the coast of Ras Al Khaimah reveals within its skeletal walls the story of the country itself. 

There are many reasons Al Jazirat Al Hamra, colloquially known as the “Ghost Town,” was left abandoned on the shores of the Persian Gulf. However, to tell this story properly, we must go back to a time long before the UAE was a land of skyscrapers and super highways. 

Keep reading to learn more about the history of this unique destination and find tips for planning your own visit to the abandoned village. 

A Brief History of Al Jazirat Al Hamra

For centuries, Al Jazirat al Hamra was a thriving fishing and pearl-diving town. The distinct red sand of Ras Al Khaimah gave way to its namesake – Al Jazirat al Hamra literally means “Red Island.” 

Initially established on a small tidal island, the town was ruled by the Al Zaab tribe and proceeded to grow exponentially. The pearl and fishing industries boomed, and the settlement grew from its initial center into a thriving town, complete with a market, defense fortress, and several mosques. By the turn of the 20th century, the village was a hub for trading and fishing and was home to close to 4,000 inhabitants.

The Discovery of Oil

Everything would change in 1938. Across the Persian Gulf, miners in nearby Saudi Arabia would discover what we now know to be the largest petroleum deposit in the world. From that day forward, life would change forever in the Gulf countries.

With the oil industry booming, large, luxurious cities began to be constructed along the coasts. The UAE’s capital, Abu Dhabi, became a symbol of luxury for people throughout the country, and villages throughout the desert were abandoned at the hope of opportunity in the big city. 

The Abandonment of Al Jazirat Al Hamra

Some locals theorize that it was this big-city appeal that pushed people out of Al Jazirat Al Hamra. Others believe that tribal conflicts between the villagers and ruler of Ras Al Khaimah led to the abandonment of the town. Others cite more ghostly occurrences, claiming that supernatural activity and ghost sightings drove the villagers away.

Regardless of the circumstances, by 1968, the town of Al Jazirat al Hamra sat abandoned on the coast of the Gulf. There it remains to this day, one of the final places to take a look into pre-oil life in the UAE.

Related Reading: The Buried Village of Al Madam – Exploring a Ghost Town in the UAE

Al Jazirat Al Hamra Today

These days, Al Jazirat Al Hamra remains one of few places to truly take a look at life before the oil boom in the UAE. The village is off the well-beaten tourist path, so you’ll often have the place to yourself.

Wander the coral-stone buildings with roofs of woven date palms – structures that despite their crumbling facades have stood the test of time through sand, wind, and heat. Explore amongst the rubble to discover lost prayer mats, forgotten toys, and ramshackle pieces of furniture seemingly left behind in a hurry.

In recent years, some of the buildings closer to the edge of the village have been repaired as a result of restoration efforts from community members. Luckily, the repairs have paid close attention to the heritage architecture of the site and reflect the original states of the buildings. 

The further you walk into the village the less repairs have been made, with some of the buildings closer to the coast still piles of coral and rubble coated in a sheen of red dust. This stark contrast makes the abandoned village a fascinating landscape to explore, and has been sought out by photographers and filmmakers alike. Most recently, the village was featured in Ryan’s Reynolds’ “6 Underground” and Brad Pitt’s “War Machine.”

While there are no immediate plans to renovate the village, families of Al Hamra have celebrated its history with annual gatherings since 2012. These gatherings pay tribute to the legacy and heritage of the village and recognize its importance as a piece of the UAE’s history.

Visit Ras Al Khaimah’s Ghost Town

The Al Jazirat Al Hamra Ghost Town is located 12 kilometers from Ras Al Khaimaih’s city center, 1 hour from Sharjah and 1.5 hours from Dubai by car. Click here to find the exact location in Google maps or insert the following coordinates in your GPS: 25.708043, 55.797537

As with any outdoor activity in the UAE, remember to bring at least 2-3 bottles of water. I also recommend closed toed shoes for visiting the abandoned village in Ras Al Khaimah, as there are plenty of loose rocks, glass, and rubble.

Public Transportation and Tours to Al Jazirat al Hamra

If you do not have your own car, there are multiple buses a day from Dubai to Ras Al Khaimah, beginning at just 25 AED one-way. While public transportation won’t get you directly to the abandoned village, you can easily take a Careem taxi from the bus station. Here’s a great article outlining different ways to travel from Dubai to RAK.

A few guided tours are also available to the abandoned village in Ras Al Khaimah. This full-day tour includes a stop at Al Jazirat Al Hamra among other RAK highlights. 

The Ras Al Khaimah Fine Arts Festival

Since 2019, Al Jazirat Al Hamra has been home to the Ras Al Khaimah Fine Arts Festival, an annual art festival featuring artists from around the UAE. The festival works to integrate art installations with the landscape of the historic village, bringing together art lovers and history enthusiasts alike. 

The festival takes place annually in the month of March. However, certain pieces have become permanent installations within the village, nestled within the skeletal buildings and attracting art lovers year-round. 

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